brutality
noun
bru·tal·i·ty
brü-ˈta-lə-tē 
plural brutalities
1
: the quality or state of being brutal
2
: a brutal act or course of action
Synonyms
Examples of brutality in a Sentence
the brutalities of a prison
the police were accused of brutality for using excessive force in making arrests
Recent Examples on the Web
Spanning from the 2014 Maidan Revolution to spring 2024, their story blends the glamour of drag with the brutality of war.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
The President has had a complicated history with the NFL, after criticizing players who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice during his first administration.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
In 2016, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality of Black men and, with Trump leading the discourse against him, never played in the league again.
—Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Feb. 2025
The move came after players had protested racial inequality and police brutality for two seasons.
—Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brutality 
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Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
The President has had a complicated history with the NFL, after criticizing players who kneeled during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice during his first administration.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
In 2016, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality of Black men and, with Trump leading the discourse against him, never played in the league again.
—Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Feb. 2025
The move came after players had protested racial inequality and police brutality for two seasons.
—Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brutality
Dictionary Entries Near brutality
Cite this Entry
“Brutality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutality. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brutality
noun
bru·tal·i·ty
brü-ˈtal-ət-ē
plural brutalities
1
: the quality or state of being brutal
2
: a brutal act or course of action
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